Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-07-11
THE. NEW UMPIRE.

THE NEW | MPlRE.
Ii you hav, met Charley Munger lately
yuu must have noticed how old and care
worn hc j. getting 10 be lie used to be
the brightest fellow in Trutterville and
popular. too, but lately nobody seems TO
speak tn him and there is little left Of his
old geuiality.
''Charley." | said Ia him the other day,
what is the matter with yuu''
oh. noth!ng. answered Charley de
jecte,IIy.
''N"nsense, replied. there is some
thing wrong. What j. ii: Anything l
can help You about2''
Well" he said with a sigh. lit isn't
anything scriouS The trouble, if il can
be called trouble. date from the founda-
ton of slr Trottcryille Baseball club"
why. / Thought You were active in
getting up the Club,"
so was; 80 was. lis a good club
too, but you see don't play and ! an
the umpire and -
Il see how il iS."
/ Yes. that's what's the matter. don't
( seem 10 be able to please anybody
They're all down on mc." "
I Look here | said. Il know a fellow
/ in Detroit that used 10 he a league um-
I pire Let me bring him over. He is a
/ little fellow. but don't think they viii
Erowl much NJ his decisions" "
Next day met Bill Higgins and asked
| him to come over to Trnttcrville and UNI
pire a game and posted him on the Kind
II kickerS the Trottervillians were lig-
gins j. All Englishmau, who used to I've
one Of the cowboys in Buffalo Bits Wild
7 West show. but, for some reason. Higgins
did not care To go hack to England with
the company, and - is ont nf job just
now. Bill used To Gn the fancy shooting
and some of the laNsu exercises, and is
tough customer.
When We got to the Trotterville grounds
the game was in progress and Charley was
umpirinc
One strike ne cried, as the ball came
over the plate.
What's that you sav'" cried the cap
tain Of the ins, as he marched up threat
eningly 10 the umpire.
Il said a strike"
That wasn't no strike; the ball was
below the knee" This statement was
loudly corrOboratcd by the man at the
bat.
Wen, thought it was strike said
the umpire
At wasn't all the same" the ms were
unanimous in saying.
'-All right. Call il one ball then"
What : that, whats that yelled the
captain Of the outs, ~ he marched from
the field.
''Oh, come now, go on with the game"
said the bewildered umpire.
s.E.,, said tha
captain, and, by George, you've got TO
stick 10 it
Not if he was wrong, as he admits"
said the in captain.
Wrong nothing. It's strike. He
said SO. Hang sUch umptring"
see here, said the umpire, anxious
for peace, lets call that of and begin !
again.
After some gruinbling this was agreed !.
10, and the game went On. The man at !
the bat hit the ball and ran for the first |
base. The ball was very Cleverly stopped |
10y the second baseman and thrown Ia first, [.
ball and batsman getting there about the |
same time. The umpire had run down TO /,
first and stood there with in,lecision. |.
Darn if ! know which il is - he said help |
lessly. There was howl At this remark. |
He's ouI"' yelled the outs. safe! safe
shouted the ins, all gathering around fhe |
first base There was a wild wrangle be- |
tween the two captains, and when they |
turned to appeal TO the umpire they found !
that that individual had taken the oppor-
tunity 10 get over the fence and 90 home
This gentleman, ! said 10 the two
captains, was umpire in the league last |
summer. Perhaps he would see the game
through for you" They united in inyit-
ing him 10 take the vacant post and he
consented. The new umpire threw off his
coat and unwound from his body long,
thin rope which he flung on the ground.
Then he tightened his belt and said:
Toss that ball here
The pitcher tossed the ball to him.
That balls Eo good" said the new
umpire.
What's the matter with it" growles
one OF the captains.
Well, its no good. That's what's the
matter with il. ."
We'll, we amt q league club, and We
can't afford no dollar an half balls on
this ground said the captain, somewhat
cowed by the resolute Gemeanor Of the
little umpire
The umpire flung the ball into the air,
then putting his hand 10 his hip pulled out
The baseball flew into dozen pieces.
There was 4 cry OF amazement and dis
may. They had no other ball. The UNI
pire went 10 where his coat was lying on
the ground, brought from the pocket q
familiar red labeled box, tore it open,
took out new ball and tossed il TO the
pitche.
There he said. IN make Won pres
nnt of that one. Now, then, play ball"
Up came the ball.
''One ball.
Up it came again. h
Two balls,''
Three ballsr'
The pitcher took fresh hold on the
ball and rubbed it in the sand
-Four halls -
Next time the ratified pitcher flung wide
,f the plate.
Five balls Take your base
The batsman dropped his club and
rotted down to first base The captain
# the outs came marching towards the
umpire, mad clear through.
The umpire at once put his hand to his
nip and cried:
What arc you coming ont of the field
or. SIR
'l-I-I want TO speak TO the pitcher"
aid the captain.
''All right, said the umpire; ''be quick
lboUt it
They converSed fot moment, then the ,
;aptain said: Il suppose l can change
litchers%'
Yes, if You have another pitcher in the
ield"
The pitcher was sent to center field and
he center man went into the box. He
'itched slow and curveless ball, but it
vent over the plate every time
Zone strike"
1.-Two strikes"
''Iiit at il, =" said the in CAPTAIN.
Three strikes"
-Four strikes. Strikers OUT
The in captain strobe up TO the umpire. {
See here, lie bean.
We'll. what It is, Nothing, against my I
lmpiring. hope" said the umpire. reach I
ug down and taking a yillaiuous lpokin,,